Hallowed Ground

One of the most anticipated days of our trip was upon us -  a trip to the newly former home ground of the San Francisco 49ers, Candlestick Park. Was only a short drive over to the park and we were the first ones there for the tour.

Must say it was quite an impressive stadium, like the rest of SF it was built on a hill so all of the areas we walked were steep.  The tour went for about 90 minutes and we got to see right through the stadium including the luxury boxes, the locker room and down on to the grass.

Was such an unique experience that we all really enjoyed, particularly Tony who has been a 49er fan for a long time!  I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

 

escalators up to the stadium seating

map of the stadium

on the wall to the luxury boxes

our tour guide who has been a season ticket holder since the 49ers started using Candlestick Park

view from the box out onto the ground

Jerry Rice

Frank Gore

Tony at the entrance to the locker room - in the media area

sitting in the change room under Smoking Joe's jersey

logo on the floor of the changeroom - disrespectful for anyone else except the current players to step on it - we didnt!

change room

in the old changing room which is now used for coaching staff

as the players run out onto the field they double tap this plaque on the wall - respect (we did it too :-))

under the uprights

by the logo

 We were fortunate to see the remains of the logos painted on the turf - a good rain will remove them and they wont be painted back on again because the 49'ers start at their new stadium next season - Santa Clara.

5 championships

After the tour we went off to find the 49'ers store in downtown San Fran so Tony could get his jacket.  We found the store with not too much difficulty in the city Westfield store.  Poor Tony - what a choice he had to make - so many great looking jackets and tops.  He scored his jacket and also a Frank Gore no 21 jersey.  We had lunch there too - clam chowder for the boys which was really good apparently.

downtown SF

the 49ers store in Westfield

 On the way back to our hotel we drove past Lombard Street - the wiggliest street in the world apparantly - certainly looked like it.